Feeling down? Beyond Blue have launched a new COVID-19 mental health service

Here at Reckon, we take mental health seriously and have strived to create a professional environment where negative stigma is removed, and personal issues can be openly discussed in a supportive manner.

This is why we’re proud to promote a new service created by the federal government and delivered by trusted mental health service Beyond Blue.

With a particular focus on businesses and individuals who are facing mental strain due to the unprecedented effects of COVID-19, we urge everyone reading to make contact if they have an issue they would like to privately discuss with a mental health professional.

Many in your position will have financial concerns, anxiety and frustration due to social isolation. Perhaps you would simply like to get something off your chest? Maybe you believe your issues are unimportant or insignificant? That’s why Beyond Blue are here. Please give them a call.

The Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Long before this pandemic, mental health was a topic of great importance to our community. However, it has become abundantly clear that the effects of job loss, business loss, isolation, illness, uncertainty and restriction of movement have had a sharp impact on our collective wellbeing.

The new service has been created to provide support for those adversely affected by the difficult circumstances we all find ourselves in.

Chair of Beyond Blue and former PM, Julia Gillard, provided clarity around the purpose of this new mental health service.

“We anticipate growing demand for mental health support as this pandemic develops, both from people who are already managing mental health issues and those who have never struggled before.”

“Just as people are looking after their physical health, we’re asking people to actively look after their mental health. We need to support people to cope and stay well, and we need to intervene early to halt any decline in the conditions of those already living with mental illness so that we reduce the longer-term impacts,” Beyond Blue Chair, The Hon Julia Gillard.

Services on offer

The new Beyond Blue service will be providing a range of service types for all Australians, around the clock and seven days a week.

“We’ve built this service rapidly because we understand that all Australians need this support immediately and that now more than ever, prevention matters,” – Julia Gillard

Services include:

online wellbeing tips

self-help tools

phone counselling from trained mental health professionals

peer to peer support

online chat support

Who is it for?

This service is for all Australians. If you’re doing it tough, please give them a call or visit their website.

This dedicated service was created after Beyond Blue had a 30% spike in calls, many with a focus on anxiety, job loss, stress and uncertainty related to the coronavirus. As such, the service is focused on pandemic related issues in particular.

Types of issues you may like to learn about or discuss:

coping with loneliness, anxiety and self-isolation

dealing with business closure

support for essential service workers and small businesses

ways to deal with job loss and financial worries

supporting friends and family

coping as a healthcare worker

managing your mental health if you have the virus

Small business wellbeing plan

If you’re a small business and feeling the strain imposed upon you by COVID-19, there are ways to structure your response.

Beyond Blue have created an excellent small business guide to mental health which is a great resource to get started. You can find it here.

Within the guide, you can also download editable plans on personal wellbeing and workplace wellbeing to structure your response to mental health in your small business.

Thinking about mental health is one thing, actively putting pen to paper in order to deliver meaningful solutions is another.

If you are concerned

If you’re concerned that someone you know is in urgent need of support or may be at immediate risk, there are many organisations ready to assist.

In addition to Beyond Blue, if you or a loved one is in need of immediate assistance please contact:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

SANE: 1800 187 263

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

We hope everyone out there is coping well and managing their wellbeing as best they can. Even if you believe your concerns are minor, please don’t hesitate to reach out to this excellent new service from Beyond Blue.